Frequently Asked Questions

Below you’ll find answers to many of the most frequently asked questions about my services, including insurance, my cancellation policy, and getting started with therapy. If your question isn’t answered below, feel free to schedule a free 15-minute intro call, fill out my contact form, or shoot me an email!

Before you dive in, I want to acknowledge that seeking support can feel vulnerable—especially in a world where mental health is still misunderstood or stigmatized. But reaching out is not a weakness. It’s a sign of deep self-awareness and the courage to honor what you need. That’s brave! And it’s one of the most powerful ways you can care for your nervous system.

Everyone needs help now and then, and in this space, every part of you is welcome.

Jennifer smiling in a headshot

In a crisis or an emergency?

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or go to your nearest hospital.

You can also contact:

  • Colorado Crisis Services – Available 24/7
    Call: 1-844-493-TALK (8255)
    Text: “TALK” to 38255
    Walk-in locations statewide: coloradocrisisservices.org
    Offers free, confidential support from trained mental health professionals, regardless of ability to pay.

Additional 24/7 Hotlines:

  • AspenPointe Crisis Line (Colorado Springs): (719) 572-6100

  • Cedar Springs Hospital (Colorado Springs): (719) 633-4114

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

  • Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE

  • Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

  • Eating Disorder Helpline (NEDA): 1-800-931-2237

  • LGBTQIA+ Support (Trevor Project): 1-866-488-7386

Brand banner strip

Rates, Fees, and Insurance

    • Intake session (75 minutes): $250

      This is our initial session! It’s our chance to dive in and get to know each other. We’ll talk about what’s bringing you in, explore your story, and begin to map out what healing and support might look like for you. It’s a little longer to give us plenty of space to ease in.

    • Ongoing sessions (50 minutes): $200
      Sessions are available in-person, virtually, or as a hybrid, depending on what works best for you.

  • Yes! I reserve a limited number of sliding scale spots for clients needing financial flexibility. Sliding scale means a reduced rate based on your income or financial situation. I have a short form you can fill out to help determine a rate that feels sustainable for you!

    These spots are first-come, first-served. If I don’t currently have a sliding scale spot available, I’m always happy to offer referrals to trusted lower-cost providers.

    And if cost is a concern, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I'm more than happy to talk it through with you.

    Looking for an in-network provider? Try www.psychologytoday.com.

  • I accept cash, check, and card. My online system accepts most credit/debit cards, including HSA and FSA cards that function like a regular card.

    Before your first session, I’ll send you a secure form to enter your card info. The session fee is charged the evening of each appointment.

  • I’m considered an out-of-network provider, which means I’m not in-network with any insurance companies. There are a myriad of reasons I’ve chosen not to work directly with insurance, including my commitment to protecting your privacy and providing care that isn’t dictated by insurance requirements or forced diagnoses. 

    That being said, if your insurance plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement. You’ll pay for sessions up front, and I can provide monthly superbills for you to submit to your insurance. Many clients receive reimbursement ranging from 60–80%, depending on the specifics of their plan. Websites like https://www.thrizer.com/ and https://reimbursify.com/ can help with this.

  • You might have more coverage than you realize! To find out, call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask:

    • Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?

    • What is my deductible for out-of-network services? Has it been met?

    • What percentage of each session will I be reimbursed for?
      (Mention CPT code 90834: 45-minute individual psychotherapy.)

    • How do I submit a superbill for reimbursement?

    If you'd like to use superbills, let me know! Just note: using insurance requires me to include a mental health diagnosis on the superbill.

    Find out more about how to determine your out-of-network benefits here.

Branded image for banner

About the Sessions

  • Your first session is a chance for us to slow down, get to know each other, and begin exploring what brings you to therapy. We’ll talk through what’s been coming up for you, what you’re hoping to shift or understand, and what you want from our work together. I’ll ask some thoughtful questions, and you’re always welcome to share what feels most important.

    We’ll also review your intake forms briefly, and the conversation will move at a pace that feels supportive and grounded. The first session is 75 minutes so we have plenty of space to ease in.

    Therapy isn’t always light and easy, but it can include laughter, insight, and real moments of relief. My style is collaborative, non-judgmental, and relatable, so you can show up just as you are!

  • I typically meet with clients on a weekly basis, as therapy tends to be most effective when there’s consistency, especially in the beginning! For that reason, I ask all new clients to commit to weekly sessions for at least the first 6 weeks. This gives us a solid foundation to build trust, develop momentum, and start seeing meaningful progress.

    After those first 6 weeks, we can reassess together and determine what frequency best supports your goals—whether that’s continuing weekly, shifting to bi-weekly, or making another adjustment. At any point in the process, I may recommend increasing or decreasing session frequency based on your unique needs. These decisions will always be collaborative!

  • Therapy is your space, so come as you are! I’ll meet you with curiosity, compassion, and collaboration. It’s a place to slow down, explore what’s coming up, and make sense of your inner world, without pressure to have it all figured out. We might talk about past experiences, current stressors, or simply notice what’s unfolding in the moment. 

    You don’t need to come in with a plan. In fact, I often encourage clients to experiment with not pre-planning what they want to discuss. Letting things unfold naturally creates space to notice what’s truly present—thoughts that arise, emotions that want to be felt, and patterns ready to be seen. My role is to support you in staying connected to what brought you here, while also honoring the natural shifts that come with healing. This kind of spontaneity often leads to meaningful insight and clarity.

    And no, therapy is not always heavy! It’s not like what you see in movies. We’re not always diving into heavy stuff. Therapy can be lighthearted, creative, and even fun! Some sessions include laughter, art, music, movement, or whatever helps you feel more grounded, connected, and like yourself.

    You’re also welcome to kick off your shoes, eat, drink, curl up with a blanket, bring a journal or photos, or show me the texts— whatever helps you feel at ease! This is your space to get real, feel supported, and be deeply heard. We’ll navigate it together, gently and with intention.

  • Yes, confidentiality is one of the most essential parts of the therapeutic relationship. What you share in session stays between us, and you’ll receive a written informed consent form that outlines exactly how your privacy is protected. You’re always in control of your story, and I won’t share anything with anyone (including other providers) without your written permission.

    That said, there are a few legal and ethical exceptions to confidentiality, which exist to keep you and others safe. As a mandated reporter, I’m required to break confidentiality if:

    • You disclose suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or vulnerable adult

    • You’re at serious risk of harming yourself or someone else

    If those situations ever come up, we’ll talk through them with care. My priority is always to support your safety and well-being while honoring your autonomy as much as possible.

  • Your appointment time is reserved just for you! I require at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Without that notice, the full session fee of $200 will be charged. No-shows are also charged the full fee.

    That said, I know life happens! I offer one late cancellation or no-show grace per client. After that, any late cancellations, reschedules, or no-shows will be charged in full. Special consideration may be given in the case of an emergency or sudden illness, at my discretion.

    And if I ever need to cancel our session with less than 48 hours' notice for a non-emergency (meaning something that’s not urgent, like illness or a personal emergency), I’ll offer you a free session credit to use in the future as a way to honor your time—unless we're able to reschedule within the same week.

  • There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline! Some clients meet their goals in just a few months, while others continue for years as part of ongoing care. Therapy can be a short-term tool for growth or a long-term space for reflection, support, and maintenance; it all depends on your needs.

    My goal is to support you for as long as it feels helpful. Once you feel confident in the progress you've made, we’ll talk about whether it feels like the right time to wrap up. That decision is always collaborative and led by you.

    Some clients pause therapy and return later when life shifts or stress increases, and I’m always happy to hear from past clients—whether you're coming back or just sending a quick update.

    Whether your time in therapy is brief or ongoing, we’ll shape it around what’s most supportive for you.

  • When it’s time to wrap up our work together—a decision we’ll make collaboratively—I strongly recommend a closing session. Therapy is a deeply vulnerable and meaningful space, and ending with intention can be a powerful part of the process. In this final session, we’ll reflect on your growth, honor the work you’ve done, and acknowledge the relationship we’ve built.

    Goodbyes can be so hard! But they can also be deeply healing. A thoughtful closing session offers your nervous system a sense of closure and helps us both honor your journey.

    Whether you’ve been in therapy for a few months or a few years, you deserve an ending that feels grounded, supportive, and complete.

  • At this time, I work exclusively with adults (18+). I do not currently provide therapy for children or teens.

    I also don’t provide treatment for primary psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. If you’re seeking support in these areas, I’m happy to offer referrals to trusted providers who specialize in this type of care.

Banner stripe design

Misc / Therapy Questions

  • I generally don’t assign formal diagnoses unless it serves a clear purpose in our work together. My approach is rooted in understanding your lived experience and making sense of the symptoms or stressors that are showing up, not labeling you. That said, we may explore diagnostic language if it feels helpful for insight, validation, or referrals.

    That being said, if you choose to seek insurance reimbursement using superbills, I am required to include a mental health diagnosis on the documentation I provide. This is standard practice for insurance billing, and I’ll always be transparent about it if that step becomes part of our work together.

  • Great question! If we happen to run into each other out in the world, I’ll follow your lead. To protect your privacy, I won’t initiate contact or acknowledge our therapeutic relationship unless you choose to.

    If you do say hi, I’m always happy to return the greeting! I know it can feel a little awkward, so just know there’s no pressure either way. Your comfort and confidentiality are always my priority.

  • I offer a free 15-minute intro call to all potential new clients. It’s low-pressure and helps us figure out if working together feels like a good fit! We can chat via video or phone — whatever feels most comfortable!

    Here’s what you can expect:

    • I’ll ask what’s bringing you to therapy right now

    • I’ll share more about me and how I work as a therapist

    • You can ask any questions you have

    • We’ll cover logistics like rates, insurance, and availability

    This call is just a starting place. No pressure, no commitment—just a chance to see if it feels like the right next step for you. If it’s not the right fit, I’ll share referrals to therapists I trust.

  • If we both feel like it’s a good fit after our intro call, we’ll schedule your first therapy session! I’ll send you intake forms to complete ahead of time. If you’re coming in person, I’ll also send directions to my office. If you’ve scheduled a virtual session, you’ll receive a secure video link via SimplePractice, a HIPAA-compliant platform designed specifically for therapy.